Assessment item 3
Analysis of the Impact of Corruption on Governance
Value: 20%
Length: 1500 – 2000 Words
Submission method options: EASTS (online)
Task
Assignment name
Analysis of the impact of corruption on governance and integrity, and discussion on global anti-corruption initiatives
Instructions
James Shaver, a former Secretary General of the World Customs Organization began his address to the 8th International Anti-corruption Conference with the following statement:
” There are few public agencies in which the classic pre conditions for institutional corruption are so conveniently presented as in a Customs administration. The potent mixture of administrative monopoly coupled with the exercise of wide discretion, particularly in a work environment that may lack proper systems of control and accountability, can easily lead to corruption. A Customs administration infected with corruption is going to be seriously dysfunctional and the impact of the corruption will be felt throughout the society.” (See http://www.8iacc.org/papers/shaver.html)
With Shaver’s comments as the starting point, research the public domain to determine whether his message may be as relevant today as it was when he addressed the conference in Lima Peru in 1997.
1) Identify and describe a recent or current example of corruption that has impacted on the governance and integrity of a specific border management agency. (75-100 words)
2) Describe how the corruption has affected the integrity of the organization and its legitimate authority. Explain the impact of the corruption on the stakeholders, partners, the State, and others. Has corruption affected the ability or capacity of the administration to fulfill its border management role? (300-400 words)
3) Is the corruption localized or indicative of perhaps a broader socio-political environment? Identify the conditions that contributed to introducing corruption into the organization and, in your opinion, could they have been prevented? Explain. (150-200 words)
4) Were there weaknesses in governance that might have contributed to, or even facilitated, the spread of corruption within the organization? Has the administration’s response been appropriate? How might the governance of the organization be changed so as to prevent or discourage corruption from re-occurring? (150-200 words)
5) Discuss how the international community has come together to fight corruption at the border. Identify and describe the tools and resources that are available to assist border agencies in their fight against corruption and how these tools could be used to address the example(s) that you have selected. Discuss whether you believe the international community is doing enough, or if there is more that could be done. (750-1000 words)
6) Corruption is a problem that affects all of society, not just a limited few. Shaver states: “ordinary citizens are the real casualties of corruption.” Do you believe this statement to be an accurate reflection on the impact of corruption? Justify your position. (75-100 words)
Provide appropriate references to all examples cited
Rationale
This assessment task will assess the following learning outcome/s:
- be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the concepts and principles pertaining to governance issues in the border management environment
- be able to assess critically issues arising from the lack of good governance
- be able to research, locate and interpret information pertaining to corruption in the public domain
- be able to identify and communicate effectively the role of the WCO in improving border management ethics and governance and be able to analyse the key initiatives promoted by that organisation
- be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the aims and objectives of the Revised Arusha Declaration, including the codes of conduct, and be able to apply its principles in selected border management contexts
The purpose of this assignment is to assess your ability to research and analyse materials available in the public domain relating to corruption, to enhance your understanding of the issues concerning corruption that impact on Governance and Integrity, and to enhance your knowledge of global anti-corruption initiatives.
This Assignment will assess and assist your progress towards the following subject learning outcomes:
- 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5
This assignment will contribute to your progress towards achieving all the CSU graduate learning outcomes and in particular:
- Professional Practice, Academic Literacy & Numeracy and Information & Research Literacies
Marking criteria and standards
The following criteria will be used in marking this assignment:
- Your ability to identify and describe an example of corruption that has impacted on governance and integrity in a border management agency (1/20)
- Your ability to describe the affect on the integrity, authority, and operational ability of the agency and the impact on the stakeholders (3/20)
- Your ability to analyse the environment and contributing factors and to explain if or how it might have been prevented (2/20)
- Your ability to identify weaknesses in governance, assess the appropriateness of response, and suggest corrective measures (2/20)
- Your ability to identify international anti-corruption initiatives, tools, and resources, and to assess the adequacy of the international community’s response in the fight against corruption (6/20)
- Your ability to take a position on the ‘casualties of corruption’, and succinctly justify and defend your position (2/20)
- Your ability to use informed sources to appropriately support your position (1/20)
- Your ability to communicate effectively in academic writing (2/20)
- Your ability to provide due and appropriate in text and end of text referencing in accordance with the required APA (6th Ed) style (1/20)
